LIVE SCORE | India vs South Africa Live Cricket Score, 1st ODI: Kuldeep Yadav breaks crucial partnership as Proteas lose 4th wicket
India vs South Africa live score, 1st ODI: Nine months. That’s how long Virat Kohli has waited for his 52nd ODI century. And the wait was not because he’s out of form but because he now plays just ODIs. He walks out from Ranchi tonight with a masterful 103 off 102. The final stretch wasn’t easy for him though — strike-starved, the pitch slowing down, boundaries drying up. Yet, even with the brakes slammed on, he still finished at better than a run-a-ball and that alone tells the story.
This isn’t just another Kohli hundred.
This is a hundred earned under a microscope.
Both he and Rohit Sharma are being evaluated beyond numbers now — for longevity, for 2027 World Cup viability, for whether the legends still have the fire. Every knock has become a verdict.
So when he leapt, punched the air, turned skyward with folded hands, it wasn’t just celebration. It was relief. Defiance. Emotion.
IND vs SA ODI series: South Africa carry momentum into ODIs
South Africa has entered the ODI series with confidence after winning the Test series. Their ODI team has been inconsistent in recent years, but the energy from their Test success could help them perform well. Even without key fast bowlers Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje, the visitors believe they can adapt and challenge India in conditions that may again test their skills and mindset.
IND vs SA ODI series: Pitch report
The pitch at the JSCA Stadium in Ranchi is generally well-balanced and gives chances to both batters and bowlers. Batters should be able to score freely, but the bounce will help fast bowlers early on. As the match progresses, spinners are likely to become more effective.
Under the lights, the pitch usually offers grip and turn, but if dew settles later in the evening, batting second could become easier, making a chase more comfortable.
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IND vs SA Live Cricket Score, 1st ODI: Kuldeep Yadav breaks crucial partnership
Kuldeep Yadav strikes in his first over. He broke a crucial partnership by dismissing Tony de Zorzi for 39. Brevis comes in to play. South Africa’s opening lineup has crumbled under India’s bowling attack. SA 77/4 (15)
IND vs SA Live Cricket Score, 1st ODI: Batters set in
India make their first switch — Prasidh Krishna takes the ball. The new-ball pair created serious pressure early and this is the phase where teams can either tighten the noose or let the game slip.
Too often in these conditions, first-change bowlers get greedy for wickets — banging it in too short or overpitching — and suddenly batters get easy scoring opportunities.
And the signs are there…Breetzke and De Zorzi have settled in, soaking up the early heat and punching back. That window India opened with the new ball? It’s closing fast. Prasidh needs to slam it shut again. SA 58/3 (12)
IND vs SA Live Cricket Score, 1st ODI: Arshdeep strikes, SA in trouble
Arshdeep comes for this over. He was hit for six runs in the opening spell but his last one was quite. And this one just got great after he dismisses SA skipper Aiden Markram. The Proteas are in trouble here and it’s still very early into the chase. SA 15/3 (5)
IND vs SA Live Cricket Score, 1st ODI: Harshit Rana breathes fire
Two wickets in three balls — the perfect opening statement from the young quick. First ball of the chase, Ryan Rickelton gone. Two deliveries later, Quinton de Kock, South Africa’s biggest power threat, is walking back stunned. A dream start for Rana, a nightmare for the Proteas. SA 9/2 (3)
IND vs SA Live Cricket Score, 1st ODI: The Ro-Ko show in Ranchi
India storm their way to 349, finishing with a flourish as KL Rahul pulls out a reverse ramp six to close the innings. That’s 16 sixes in total — only six times in ODI history have India cleared the ropes more in one innings.
This show belonged to Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. Kohli slammed century No. 52, now the most hundreds ever by a player in a single international format, and what a statement knock it was. He and Rohit were a bullet train when the ball was new, then Kohli dug in when conditions slowed, running like a man possessed despite a sore back. The hunger, the stamina, the roar — vintage King Kohli.
So, is 349 enough? On this surface, yes. But with dew expected to roll in hard later this evening, the chase could get slippery — literally.
Buckle up. We might just have a thriller brewing in Ranchi. Second innings coming next.
IND vs SA Live Cricket Score, 1st ODI: KL Rahul slams half-century
There comes another good innings from the Indian side. KL Rahul slams his 19th fifty as the team is eyeing a big finish against the Proteas. IND 329/5 (48)
IND vs SA Live Cricket Score, 1st ODI: India eye 350 target
KL Rahul has hit Burger hard in the previous over with two sixes. A total 17 came off that over. Bosch comes in for this one. It’s Jadeja and Rahul on the pitch. Jadeja hits a sixer on the fourth delivery. The batters have put the South African bowers under pressure once again. IND 313/5 (46)
IND vs SA Live Cricket Score, 1st ODI: Master innings comes to an end
Virat Kohli’s outstanding innings finally comes to a close and the numbers underline just how far ahead of the game he was. Since Rohit Sharma’s dismissal, India managed 115 runs in 21.3 overs — Kohli alone contributed 63 off 59 balls in that period. The rest of the batting unit, extras included, mustered only 55 off 70 deliveries on a surface slowing down noticeably.
It was that change of pace that eventually undid him. Nandre Burger rolled his fingers over a short ball, Kohli miscued the loft towards long-off, and Ryan Rickelton completed a superb running catch. Kohli walks back for 135 off 120 balls, leaving India 276/5 in 42.5 overs — a knock built on supreme timing and control.
With Harshit Rana at No. 8 and limited boundary-hitters to follow, South Africa will now aim to restrict India to under 350 from here.
IND vs SA Live Cricket Score, 1st ODI: Kohli enters T20-mode
There is no stopping Virat Kohli! The white-ball great is showing absolute class and smashing boundaries. With KL Rahul on the other end, looks like a big total awaits the Proteas. IND 264/4 (40)
IND vs SA Live Cricket Score, 1st ODI: Kohli shifts gear
Virat Kohli shifts gears. He finished his ton with a boundary and in this over of Subrayen, he hits a boundary on the third ball. He follows it up with two sixers and ends the over with a boundary. There is no stopping the King from here. Another interesting stat by Abhishek AB – “Virat Kohli’s performances against South Africa in last 10 years have been nothing short of phenomenal. In just 13 innings, he has hammered 5 centuries and 4 half-centuries, racked up 1000 runs, with a staggering average of 140.”
IND vs SA Live Cricket Score, 1st ODI: Virat Kohli hits his 52nd ton
All rise for King Kohli.
Century No. 52 and Ranchi witnesses another chapter in his legend. His first international ton since February 2025 and his third in this very arena, where the crowd seems to adore him just a little louder.
Helmet off, arms raised, Virat Kohli turns to every corner of the stadium as the roar washes over him. Ranchi and Kohli — the romance lives on.
IND vs SA Live Cricket Score, 1st ODI: 10 sixes off this innings
India’s batting blueprint has been clear and brutal. India have already launched 10 sixes into the stands, setting a tempo South Africa may struggle to match when it’s their turn. The Proteas’ heavy reliance on pace, which has been punished relentlessly on this surface. IND 201/4 (31)
IND vs SA Live Cricket Score, 1st ODI: Washington Sundar departs
In the last 34 deliveries, India has added 25 runs to the scoreboard. Also, 1 wicket has fallen and 1 sixer and a boundary has come off in the last 34 deliveries. And after struggling for a bit, Washington Sundar goes back to pavilion in Baartman’s over. KL Rahul will now join Kohli on the crease. 200 runs comes up on the scoreboard.
IND vs SA Live Cricket Score, 1st ODI: Washington Sundar tries to settle in
The run-rate has dipped to little over 6.5 after the wickets of Rohit and Gaikwad. Washington Sundar is on the pitch with Kohli and he is trying to settle in. There was a run-out scare for Washington in Baartman’s over (26) but all went well. He had a brief chat with Kohli after that. Washington hit a sixer to Burger in the previous over’s second last delivery. IND 192/3 (28)
IND vs SA Live Cricket Score, 1st ODI: Good over from Burger
Ruturaj Gaikwad and Virat Kohli are on the pitch facing Nandre Burger. The pacer has been able to keep the batters in check in this over so far. Three runs, including 1 extra, has come off this over. IND 182/2 (26)
IND vs SA Live Cricket Score, 1st ODI: Vintage Kohli on full display
A century incoming from Kohli? A vintage, aggressive Kohli is on the crease and looks in a phenomenal rhythm. Abhishek AB comes in with an interesting stat – “Virat Kohli just tonked his fifth six! That’s a huge deal – in his entire 17-year ODI career, he has only cleared the ropes five or more times in an innings on five occasions. This is his second time doing it against South Africa, the first being that 2015 ODI in Chennai. And here’s the exciting part: every single time he’s hit this many sixes before, he has gone on to score a century.” IND 172/2 (24)
IND vs SA Live Cricket Score, 1st ODI: Rohit departs at 57
Jansen gets a big breakthrough for his team by dismissing Rohit Sharma on 57. A partnership broken with that wicket. A very good over by Jansen. With that, the bowling side now has a good opportunity to tighten the screws. IND 163/2 (22)
IND vs SA Live Cricket Score, 1st ODI: 50 for Rohit
Rohit Sharma hits his 60th ODI half-century shortly after Kohli’s 76th century. Unbelievable innings from the two batters. They are tearing into the South African side with massive sixers and stunning boundaries. IND 153/1 (20)
IND vs SA Live Cricket Score, 1st ODI: 50 for Kohli
Both the batting greats have put on a 100-run stand. Kohli and Rohit are three runs short of their half-centuries. Bosch comes in for this one. And there goes a sixer and comes 67th half-century for King Kohli! He tops it up with another sixer! My, oh my! Someone needs to check the decibel level in the stadium. Just brilliant. 14 comes off this over. IND 140/1 (18)
IND vs SA Live Cricket Score, 1st ODI: Both greats nearing half-century
Both Rohit and Kohli are nearing their half-century. The current partnership between them is 97 (80 balls). The way they are batting, looks like they haven’t retired from T20s at all! Three runs come off Bosch’s over. It is 45 runs for both Rohit (36 balls) and Kohli (44 balls). IND 122/1 (16)
IND vs SA Live Cricket Score, 1st ODI: The class and style of Rohit Sharma
Two white-ball greats have taken charge in Ranchi. Spinner Subrayen comes in. Oh my! Rohit hits two big sixers on the first two balls. 351 sixes for Rohit in ODIs after these two biggies. One was 83 metre and the other was 97 metre long. Simply phenomenal. 15 comes off this over. IND 119/1 (15)
IND vs SA Live Cricket Score, 1st ODI: India sailing smoothly with Rohit and Virat
With each ball that touches the bats of Rohit and Kohli, the crowd erupts. Even if the shots don’t convert into big runs, the crowd knows how less they see of the two batters. There comes a stunning boundary for Baartman by the Hitman on the third delivery. The ball was on point but Rohit knows the field well and he hits past short third. IND 94/1 (12)
IND vs SA Live Cricket Score, 1st ODI: Brilliant Kohli innings on display
Bosch comes in for this one. Kohli, once again, faces the first two and hits the third one for a boundary. Kohli puts it smoothly through the covers and it’s simply stunning to watch. Outstanding batting from Kohli. Are we going to witness another one of those trance innings from the King? We hope we do. IND 86/1 (11)
IND vs SA Live Cricket Score, 1st ODI: Shot so beautiful, so can’t keep your eyes off of it!
Baartman comes in for the next. Facing Kohli. After reading in the first two balls, Kohli thumps it over mid-off for a sixer. He walks out and balances himself with grace and that 81-metre-long sixer looked just beautiful. 50-run partnership between the two. IND 80/1 (10)
IND vs SA Live Cricket Score, 1st ODI: Rohit Sharma dominates early on
Change of bowling. Corbin Bosch from over the wicket. The change has worked so far for the Proteas. But with Rohit Sharma in the pitch, expect fireworks. He hits two back-to-back boundaries on the last two balls of Bosch’s over. Splendid! IND 72/1 (9)
IND vs SA Live Cricket Score, 1st ODI: Six off the over
Rohit and Kohli are playing 392nd ODI game together. Ro-Ko doesn’t make sense as it looks like nothing is stopping them. Virat plays it smoothly down the ground for a clean boundary to Nadre. Follows it up by double. IND 39/1 (6)
IND vs SA Live Cricket Score, 1st ODI: Ro-Ko in attendance
Kohli comes in and edged for a boundary. After Jaiswal, Nandre is eyeing another early breakthrough. There could have been another big wicket for Nandre but Rohit was dropped at deep square leg. This will hurt the Proteas a lot. Rohit plays a pull shot but de Zorzi missed it. Crowd is going wild in Ranchi. Brilliant spell. IND 31/1 (4)
IND vs SA Live Cricket Score, 1st ODI: Jaiswal departs
Marco Jansen faces Rohit Sharma. Single comes first ball. Jaiswal takes two on the next delivery. And there comes a maximum!! An upper cut from Jaiswal goes long way. Nandre walks in for next over and takes down Jaiswal on the first ball. Kohli walks in.
IND vs SA Live Cricket Score, 1st ODI: Nandre to Jaiswal
Nandre to Jaiswal – Single comes off the first ball. Rohit on strike and crowd is excited. Really excited. Last time Rohit was in the crease, the crowd witnessed stunning innings. Takes a single. Jaiswal uses the pace and sends it for a boundary. The young batter uses the pace against the South African pacer. The delivery from Nandre was 145 kph. IND 15/0 (2)
IND vs SA Live Cricket Score, 1st ODI: FOUR! Jansen to Jaiswal
Marco Jansen delivers the first ball to Yashasvi Jaiswal, and the young opener wastes no time. A confident strike sends the ball racing to the boundary for four runs.
